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Aaaaarrrrrgggghhhh

I've run out of money. With two trips to Australia just bought and paid for that's pretty much used all available flying funds in the short term. And just my luck, the weather has started to improve. With more than 100 hours in the C-172 I'm confident I can fly that without too many issues but I have barely 10 hours in the PA28-181 and I want to consolidate my time in it before I take passengers around the countryside.

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Bummer Euan! A belated congrats. on getting signed off to fly the Archer. That was my first Piper after approx. 200 hours in C-172s. I did about 20 hours in the Archer when I started instrument lessons...then bought the Arrow.

The Club also operates an Arrow for those people who want to move up to complex aircraft. I might give it a go after I tick up some decent time in the Archer.

As for the Instrument Rating, its probably not worth it in New Zealand simply because of the conditions and the low amount of hours I'll be flying. I get the feeling that I would not get as much use out of it as I'd need to maintain currency.

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The club has obtained a shiny new (well, not really new, but fairly low time) Diamond DA-42 Twin Star. I'd been telling myself that I was going to buy an hour in a twin engined aircraft to broaden my horizons a little and check off somethings on my New Years list. The clubs previous twin was older than I am and had become a little temperamental in its advanced years. The new aircraft promises a 21st century approach to multi-engined flying that in a lot of ways is both easier and harder to fly.

I wasn't particularly apprehensive prior to getting into it and flying it for two reasons. One, I have a chunk of hours flying the Arrow which has retractable gear and a CSU. The mindset behind flying it would come in handy, namely the sheer speed at which it gets through the air means mentally you have to be at least 10 NM ahead of it because you need to slow it down well before you arrive.

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Firstly Happy New Year to all my lurkers who read this blog. This year should see some interesting posts, but I'll keep the content secret until it's ready. OK, so the 2016 summary.

A flight in a taildraggerAerobatic flightFly somewhere I have never beenPass my class II medicalA ride in something coolNo - I found out I can fit into a SuperCub but I cannot operate the heel brakes because I'm too tall.No - still waiting but at least I now have a rating in an aerobatic aircraft!Yes - Hawera.Yes - yay!!No - I could say my friends 2016 VW Golf R but that doesn't count.
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A flight in a taildraggerAerobatic flightPass my BFRFly somewhere I have never beenA ride in something cool
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